Identification dominance and impact of Imperata cylindrica in oil palm plantations: a literature review

Farhan Zaky; Masda Al-Vira; Ryan Wahyu Rivaldi; Muhammad Daffa Abrar; C. Royhan NST; Rifael Natanael Harianja; Guntoro Guntoro

Authors

Farhan Zaky Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia
Masda Al-Vira Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia
Ryan Wahyu Rivaldi Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia
Muhammad Daffa Abrar Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia
C. Royhan NST Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia
Rifael Natanael Harianja Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia
Guntoro Guntoro Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, Indonesia

Keywords:

Allelopathic effect, Imperata Cylindrica, Oil palm productivity, Wee competition, Weed management

Abstract

Weeds are a major obstacle in oil palm cultivation, as their presence can disrupt plant growth through competition for nutrients, water, sunlight, and growing space. One of the most dominant weeds found in oil palm plantations is Imperata cylindrica. This study aims to identify the characteristics, level of dominance, and effects of Imperata cylindrica on oil palm plants. The method used in this study is a literature review, based on various national and international scientific journals related to Imperata cylindrica and oil palm plantations. The results show that Imperata cylindrica is an invasive weed from the Poaceae family with high adaptability, an extensive rhizome system, and rapid reproduction through seeds and rhizomes. Its presence causes intense competition for nutrients, water, and light, and it also produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit plant growth. The dominance of this weed is strongly influenced by open land conditions with high light intensity. In conclusion, Imperata cylindrica has a significant negative impact on the growth and productivity of oil palm plants. Therefore, integrated weed control methods, including mechanical, chemical, and cultural approaches, are necessary to maintain optimal plantation productivity.

References

Ali, N. B. M., Karim, M. F. A., Saharizan, N., Adnan, N. S., Mazri, N. H., Fikri, N. A., Amaludin, N. A., & Zakaria, R. (2021). Weeds diversity in oil palm plantation at Segamat, Johor. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 756(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/756/1/012034

Descals, A., Wich, S., Meijaard, E., Gaveau, D. L. A., Peedell, S., & Szantoi, Z. (2021). High-resolution global map of smallholder and industrial closed-canopy oil palm plantations. Earth System Science Data, 13(3), 1211–1231. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-1211-2021

Dwimartina, F., & Asad, F. Al. (2025). Identifikasi Keanekaragaman dan Dominansi Gulma Pada Lahan Pertanaman Mangga Gedong Gincu di Desa Lohbener Indramayu. Agro Wiralodra, 8(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.31943/agrowiralodra.v8i1.138

Hidayat, P., Putri, A. W., Evizal, R., & Sriyani, N. (2023). Efikasi Herbisida Parakuat terhadap Gulma pada Kebun Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jack.) Belum Menghasilkan (TBM). Jurnal Agrotropika, 22(2), 91. https://doi.org/10.23960/ja.v22i2.7686

Hidayat, S., Abu Bakar, M. S., Yang, Y., Phusunti, N., & Bridgwater, A. V. (2018). Characterisation and Py-GC/MS analysis of Imperata Cylindrica as potential biomass for bio-oil production in Brunei Darussalam. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 134, 510–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2018.07.018

Imaniasita, V., Liana, T., & Pamungkas, D. S. (2020). Identifikasi Keragaman dan Dominansi Gulma pada Lahan Pertanaman Kedelai. Agrotechnology Research Journal, 4(1), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.20961/agrotechresj.v4i1.36449

Jung, Y. K., & Shin, D. (2021). Imperata cylindrica: A review of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and industrial applications. Molecules, 26(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051454

Kato-Noguchi, H. (2022). Allelopathy and Allelochemicals of Imperata cylindrica as an Invasive Plant Species. Plants, 11(19), 11–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192551

Munadi, L. O. M., Pagala, M. A., Nafiu, L. O., & Zulkarnain, D. (2023). Oil Palm Plantation and Plant Species Diversity in Kolaka District, Indonesia. WSEAS Transactions on Systems, 22, 249–254. https://doi.org/10.37394/23202.2023.22.26

Mutsaers, H. J. W. (2019). The challenge of the oil palm: Using degraded land for its cultivation. Outlook on Agriculture, 48(3), 190–197. https://doi.org/10.1177/0030727019858720

Rad, S. P. H., Duque, T. S., Flory, S. L., do Nascimento, V. G., Mendes, D. S., Maciel, J. C., dos Santos, J. B., da Silva, R. S., & Shabani, F. (2025). Predicting the spread of invasive Imperata cylindrica under climate change: A global risk assessment and future distribution scenarios. PLoS ONE, 20(5 May), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321027

Ramadhani, P., Sianturi, R., Lesmana, R. D., & Sinaga, I. (2026). Respon Fisiologis Kelapa Sawit terhadap Kompetisi Gulma Imperata Cylindrica. 10, 8778–8782.

Rusmarini, U. K., Astuti, Y. T. M., & Parulian, D. (2023). Vegetasi Gulma pada Lahan yang didominasi Alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica) di Kebun Kelapa Sawit Belum Menghasilkan dan Kebun Kelapa Sawit Menghasilkan. Jurnal Pertanian Agros, 25(1), 385–395. https://e-journal.janabadra.ac.id/index.php/JA/article/view/2411

Satriawan, H., & Fuady, Z. (2019). Short communication: Analysis of weed vegetation in immature and mature oil palm plantations. Biodiversitas, 20(11), 3292–3298. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d201123

Studi Agroteknologi, P., & Pertanian INSTIPER Yogyakarta, F. (2023). Raihan Luthfan Sinaga*, Abdul Mu’in, Hangger Gahara Mawandha. 1(Nugroho 2019), 2169–2173..

Wibowo, C. S., et al. (2023). Genetic variants associated with leaf spot disease resistance in oil palm. Plant Pathology, 72, 1626–1636. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.13774

Zhang, D. et al. (2019) ‘Virulence , Molecular Diversity , and Mating Type of Curvularia lunata in China’, 103(2017018), pp. 1728–1737. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-18-1857-RE.